Dhanraj Acharya

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya has proposed a plan to revitalize the Phirke River, drawing inspiration from South Korea's successful Cheonggyecheon River restoration project. The initiative, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, aims to transform the 8-kilometer Phirke River into an organized public space with footpaths and bicycle lanes, similar to the urban renewal project in Seoul.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has commenced a demolition drive to clear illegal structures encroaching on the Phirke Khola river corridor and the Pokhara Bus Park area. The action follows the expiration of public notices demanding the removal of permanent and temporary structures, with the municipality vowing to recover demolition costs from violators. The city is also preparing to reclaim land for a modern bus park and has requested details from landless Dalits and squatters.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun demolishing structures built on encroached land along the Phirke River, following a 35-day notice period that ended on Saturday. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that the campaign aims to clear all structures within the riverbank according to a measurement report from Ashadh 2080 BS. The demolition efforts are underway at multiple points along the river, involving bulldozers and city representatives.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun demolishing approximately 160 permanent and temporary structures built within the Firke Khola stream corridor. The eviction campaign, launched from the Zero Kilometer area, aims to restore the natural flow of the eight-kilometer stream that passes through multiple wards before emptying into Phewa Lake. A 35-day notice for residents to vacate the area expired on Saturday, with demolition work commencing on Sunday.

The All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANFTU), Gandaki Province, has returned four ropani of public land, including cemented structures, to the Pokhara Valley Town Development Committee. This action was taken a day before the expiry of a 35-day deadline for vacating structures on public land, as part of a local government campaign to reclaim and protect public property.